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The Fatted Calf, And Other Necessities

Dear Friends,


This morning my Bible reading took me to Luke chapter 15, which tells us the story of the Prodigal Son. If you’re not familiar with that story, it’s a parable Jesus told about a young man who took his inheritance and headed off to experience some of what he thought were the finer things of life. From his actions we can see that he believed nice clothes, fine food, and big parties would bring him happiness. However, when he ran out of money, he quickly found himself living in the gutter without friends or the happiness he had been seeking. It was at that point he decided to return home to be reconciled with his father.


It's a wonderful story with many different applications for us, but the part that caught my attention today was the description of how his father responded to his return. Listen to how it's described in Luke 15:22-24, which says: “His father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. Kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found!’ And the party began.”


As I read that passage today it occurred to me that everything the Prodigal Son had been looking for when he left home was given to him when he returned. His father gave him nice clothes, fine food, and a big party - all the things he had left home to find. So by coming home, the Prodigal Son discovered that everything he desired in life could be found in a relationship with his father. What was true for the Prodigal Son, is also true for us in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Everything our hearts are searching for, and everything that we need in order to experience true fulfillment, can be found in a relationship with God - our Father.


The problem is that all too often we're like the Prodigal - looking outside of our relationship with God for happiness and fulfillment. Some of us try to find it in our work, while others try to find it in our relationships, and others in our money or possessions. But what the Prodigal reminds us is that we don't have to look any further than our own Heavenly Father to find all that we need. 2 Corinthians 9:8 makes this clear as it tells us: “God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” So not only will God provide all we need personally, but He will do so with such abundance that it will overflow onto others. And notice it’s not “all we want” - it's “all we NEED”. God will lovingly provide for us according to what will truly be helpful to us, which is perfect because He knows best what our true needs are.


So today, let's ask God to help us not look any further than Him for what we think we’re lacking. Whatever it is - whether it's emotional, spiritual, or physical - let's ask God to help us trust in His ability to provide. Let’s allow Him to be our loving Father, providing in abundance everything we truly need.


Amen?


Daniel


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